Sports help make the world go round. They are one of the very few things that will never become obsolete for good reason. They're entertaining, informative, and simply just fun. Many lives are built on the foundation of sports, and sports have shown the positivity of the world. A vast majority of us have played or continue to play one or more sports throughout our lives. With this in mind, here are some of the highest traits needed to play a sport well.
1. Basketball - Coordination
Everyone knows how fast paced basketball can be. You're constantly on the move from offense to defense which requires a lot of of coordination. Not to mention, the ball is also on the move, so you and your team need to be coordinated with practically everything in the game.
Basketball is one of those games where your performance depends on the actions of others and their coordination in the game. We've all seen how great Lebron James, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry can play, but some credit has to be given to their teammates as well. If they didn't perform their duties, none of these players would be great. Coordination is a good quality to have in basketball.
2. Baseball - Focus
When it comes to baseball, it really comes down to focus on both sides of game. As the batter, you have to make the decision on what to do whether its swing, bunt, or let it go. To make matters more difficult, you have very little time to make that decision. Doing so requires a lot of focus, and making the correct decision, requires perfect focus.
Swinging the bat is also another complicated issue. How do you hit a ball that could move over 90+ mph 400ft? Form, grip, and tempo are just the beginning, and that's only half of the game! Fielding is completely different concept. No matter what position you're in, you have to be ready for anything, so it's no surprise that everyone is capable of making a great play.
At the same time, everyone is capable of making the same mistakes. Errors determine who the winners and losers are, and baseball is no exception. The professionals make it look easy because they're professionals obviously, but even then they make mistakes on the field. Hilarious yes, but demoralizing for them. Gotta stay focused.
3. Football - Strength
A recent calculation showed that a football game plays for 11 minutes. Even so, football requires a tremendous amount of strength and athleticism. Every position requires a different kind of strength. For example, quarterbacks need a strong arm to make the passes, and wide receivers and running backs need to be fast. Football players need to maintain their strength practically at all times even during the offseason. It can take months even years to develop the strength to play football. Never will you see an unfit professional athlete make it especially in football.
4. Soccer/Futbol - Stamina
A professional soccer field can stretch to nearly 120 yards. Running across the field for over an hour takes a huge amount of stamina and endurance. Sure you have teammates covering all parts of the field, but you still have to play your position and move where you're needed to be at all times.
Personally, I find soccer and basketball to be like to sides of the same coin. They both require a great deal of coordination and stamina except each sport has different rules. Regardless, soccer requires a true athlete that can be always on the move.
5. Tennis - Agility
Unlike soccer, a tennis court is not big by any means, yet tennis is just as physically demanding as every other sport. Obviously because you're constantly reacting to how your opponent plays just like in most sports. Whatever your opponent does needs to be followed up on or else you'll lose!
Tennis incorporates quick strategy and predictability making it even more mentally demanding as it is physically. That's why cat-like reflexes are essentially vital to a good tennis player. This is also one of the very few sports where terrain can be a factor. Some courts come in different surfaces like clay and grass which can really change your reaction. That's a big factor.
6. Golf - Awareness
My personal favorite. Golf is definitely one of the more unique sports (not because it's being debated on whether or not it is a sport!) Rather, it really isn't a game against your opponent. It's a sport against the environment making it enjoyable to play alone. Most sports play on a court or field with practically the same dimensions all the time no matter where you play. Golf, on the other hand, plays differently depending on what course you're on. All the dimensions of the holes are different requiring a variety of shots.
Athleticism isn't really necessary to play golf, but being fit really makes you better in the long run. The best golfers know how to handle their surroundings and still play at the top level. On the golf course, you're in total control of your game. The environment is your one true opponent.
Of course, there are a lot more sports I have yet to mention. Regardless, each of them require a special combination of traits listed above. The most talented people in their respective sport are masters in their concentrated trait and near masters of everything else. Reaching high levels of coordination, focus, strength, stamina, agility, and awareness require a tremendous amount of practice and discipline. There are simply no shortcuts.
None.
And these qualities are only half of the battle.
